Google returns in China with censored search engine

As per reports, Google is planning to develop a new version of its search engine that would abide by the censorship laws in China.

Eight years back Google pulled out from China to protest against the nation’s censorship and hacking scenarios. Currently, the internet giant is planning to introduce a censored search engine especially for China which would filter websites and terms that are barred by the Chinese government.

Quoting internal Google documents as well as inside sources, it is said that Dragonfly (project code-name) was initiated back in the spring of 2017 and gained pace in December right after Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, met a government official from China.

It is also believed that Android app with versions like Maotai and Longfei have been established and can soon be launched under nine months if the government in China drops an approval.

Google’s operation on a censored search engine aimed for China has immediately caused an uproar among human rights activists. There are active concerns that the tech giant would block several foreign websites such as Twitter, Facebook and The New York Times. Moreover, the censorship on Chinese search queries covering 1989 Tiananmen massacre and data on Chinese leadership might emerge as a major worry.

Amnesty International stated Google shouldn’t move ahead with this programme. As per Patrick Poon, a China researcher for Amnesty, "It will be a dark day for internet freedom if Google has acquiesced to China's extreme censorship rules to gain market access”. He added, if profits are given importance before human rights, Google will be setting a chilling example by handing the victory baton to the Chinese government.

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